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How LinkedIn Linked Me to a Job

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How LinkedIn Linked Me to a Job

Back in January 2010, somebody from the e-Commerce department of The Emirates Group contacted me on my LinkedIn for an e-Commerce designer role at the company. Everything on the screening stage went so well. I got ‘hired.’  In fact, to my excitement, I severely injured my toe as I jumped with joy upon learning the good news. I did all of the required protocols, document authentications, police clearance, etc. I signed the contract.

Come a week before I’m supposed to start my work, I got a call saying that I won’t be able to join Emirates anymore. The reason: Emirates was ‘apparently‘ cutting employment that time. I haven’t started, yet, I was already redundant. They said it was a senior-executive-level decision. Hurts much. I paid for those document processes by myself. And how about my toe injury?

Second chance

Three months later, I received an invitation via LinkedIn again. This time from the manager of the UI Design Team of Emirates IT, inviting me to meet for a possible job as Senior UI Designer.

The meeting went really well. But they never got back to me for awhile.

Another great offer came from a startup web design company. Thinking that Emirates won’t get back anymore, I grabbed the opportunity and signed a deal. Two months later, I got a call saying Emirates IT wants to hire me and I just had undergo the formal hiring process. With all due respect and honor to my newly signed contract commitment, I declined with a really heavy heart. It was puzzling why I declined.

Third time’s a charm

Fast forward 11 months later, I received a message in LinkedIn from the same IT manager taking chance if I’d like another shot at an opportunity with his team in Emirates.  I met with him, he introduced me to the department manager, and everything went well.  I got the offer – close to my expectation.  Haunted by my past experiences, I was a bit reluctant that time. I was already having a great experience with the small startup company. I love what I was doing. What if, in the latter part, it will go off again? This was what’s boggling me. But in the end, I still accepted the offer and resigned from my job.

Exactly today marks my 2nd year in Emirates. I’m working as a Senior UI / UX Designer consultant for web and mobile apps. What a way to get in… It’s a bit challenging in the beginning, but I have welcomed the challenges – it continue to help bring out the best in me.

Many employers are using LinkedIn as a valuable tool to find resource. So make the most of your LinkedIn account. Enhance your visibility, here are just few things I did with my account and could help you get started:

  1. Make your profile marketable. Add the best possible keywords matching your expertise or the job you want
  2. Showcase your works. Add links to your portfolios
  3. Make sure your CV is updated
  4. Get recommended, and recommend others as well
  5. Get endorsed.
  6. Join discussions and actively participate in professional groups

LinkedIn may be the lesser exciting social network out there but it can be your best tool towards your desired job, a career perhaps.

Dinner-for-a-cause in Dubai to Aid Earthquake Victims in Bohol, Philippines

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Sharing an email we received from the Philippine Consulate Office regarding a fund-raising initiative to aid Bohol:

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Dear Friends,

As you may have already known a 7.2. magnitude earthquake has recently devastated my home province of Bohol causing hundreds of deaths and injuries as well as the destruction of homes, infrastructure such as roads, schools and bridges, and several centuries-old churches that are considered national historical landmarks.  This calamity is the worst disaster that has affected our beloved province and people.

The management of the Ramee Group of Hotels, particularly its Managing Director Mr. Raj Shetty and Group General Manager Mr. Kumar Shetty, have offered to hold a Dinner-for-a-Cause starting at 6:00 p.m. at Rocky’s Cafe, Regent Palace Hotel in Dubai, for the victims of this tragedy that befell my province and its people.  The cost per plate is AED 50 but the hotel management has pledged to donate 100 per cent of the proceeds for the benefit of the earthquake victims.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Elmer De Villa, Manager of Rocky’s Cafe, for initiating this event which will always be remembered with gratitude.

As your Consul-General, I appeal to your kind hearts and ask you to join this good cause where we can be together as one community here in Dubai, enjoy good food and some entertainment while at the same time give a helping hand to those in need back home in the Philippines.  Also, please help disseminate this appeal to your friends who may wish to join and contribute to this worthy cause.

I look forward to see you this Friday, 25 October 2013 (starting at 6:00 p.m.) at Rocky’s Cafe, Regent Palace Hotel, Dubai.

Very truly yours,
  
Frank R. Cimafranca
Consul-General

Consulate General of the Philippines
Ipagpalain po tayo lagi ng Maykapal.  Maraming salamat at Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Artist’s impressions: A glimpse of the planned Dubai Canal

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Another great is in the pipeline. A 1.5 billion dirhams project to extend the Business Bay canal is in the works. The extension will be 12.8 kilometres from the section of Sheikh Zayed Road near Safa Park to the Arabian Gulf.  To be named Dubai Canal, this project is seen to be completed in 2 years.

This will definitely add another bright spot on the tourists maps. Below are some artist’s impressions made available by Government of Dubai to the media:

Bridges will be built connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road

This is Safa Park with a view of the Dubai Canal. Pedestrian pathways and cycling tracks will be built as well.

There will be new villa residences along Dubai Canal

Residences will have their private marinas as well

and 4 hotels will be built within as well

Dubai Canal will be 6 meters deep

A stunning beach front will be built at the end of the Canal

DETOUR City Hunt – A green treasure fun hunt for you and a buddy

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Are you up for ‘amazing race’-like challenges? BoyDubai is.

DETOUR City Hunt promises a lot of fun and learning. It is a “green” treasure hunt throughout the streets of Dubai using only public transportation to get from one point to another – that’s, buses, taxis, the metro, and possibly abras and water taxis, and lots of walking and running for sure.

“Get fit and reduce your carbon footprint” is the theme of the event.

The hunt will be on 18th October, Friday. Briefing begins 2pm at Burjuman. The road challenge starts 2:30pm and expected to finish by 8pm at Al Nasr Sports Club. Dinner and entertainment follows.

The teams are required to find their way around, complete fun sporting challenges, solve puzzles and find clues which will lead to the next check-points in order to reach the final destination and find the treasure of AED 10,000.

2nd place finishers will win AED3,000 worth of vouchers for Cycle Hub and 6-month membership at Fitness First. 3rd placers will receive AED1,500 worth of vouchers from Cycle Hub and 3-month membership at Fitness First.

Winner will be chosen based on best scores achieved in each pit stop activity, points for solving clues and for reaching the finish point before the cut-off time.

Presented by ENOC, under the patronage of Dubai Sports Council, This fun initiative aims to raise awareness about the environment and going green in particular in relation to being healthy and fit.

Registration is AED150 per person, open to all residents 18 years old and above. The slots are limited to 200 teams only composed of 2 adults per team. Click here to register.

Like it on Facebook to get more updates.

Bamboo and Rivermaya to rock Dubai

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It was “Bamboo OF Rivermaya” or simply Rivermaya way back in the 90s. It will be a reunion of sorts as Bamboo AND Rivermaya share the stage in Dubai on Friday, 11th October, 8PM at Dubai World Trade Centre Zabeel Hall 1 & 2.

Before Bamboo left the band in late 90s, they have established a massive following and have produced remarkably iconic music that even younger generations still find them relevant. They have given us Kisapmata, Hinahanap-hanap Kita, Himala, If and 214 among others.

After Bamboo’s departure, Rivermaya sailed on and continued to create hits year after year. After ups and downs in the past few years, the band known as “Banda ng Bayan” (band of the nation) is back with new album, Panatang Makabanda.

Now Bamboo, who has just recently sat as coach in Voice of the Philippines, is tagged as the prince of pop rock in the Philippines.

Visit www.bambooindubai.com / www.rivermayaindubai.com for more info about the concert. Like the Facebook Page as well to get updated.

Video: a rare moment when Bamboo jams with the new Rivermaya playing their legendary hits:

Tickets, priced Dh145 (general admission) and Dh245 (grandstand), are available at Ticketmaster. Gates open at 5pm.

My HD Media and GMA International – a perfect partnership

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Recently, GMA International introduced MyHD TV as its new broadcast partner in the region. MyHD is one of the fastest growing TV platforms here in Middle East and North Africa. Named MyGMA, the package includes the new GMA News International, 2 premium entertainment channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV,  AM radio favorite Super Radyo DZBB, and Barangay LS FM.  Subscribers will also get 24  other HD channels that suits the Filipino viewing interests.

And in line with this partnership, a grand Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai Concert will happen tomorrow, 27th September at  Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha Dubai. Headlined by Philippines prime time queen Marian Rivera, Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go and Julie Anne San Jose, the concert promises to be a great show for the Filipino community in Dubai. At the press conference, Director Mark Reyes of Sunday All Stars confirmed that “this is not just a show where we just put Marian, Julie Anne, Rachelle Ann and Christian in one stage.”  Lots of singing and dancing, collaborations. It’ll be a sure treat. It’s a production – a mini Sunday All Stars.

Click here for more info about the show.

Like MyHD Media on Facebook to know more about their services.

Kobe Bryant supports diabetes awareness, basketball popularity upsurge in the offing

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Photo by Ion Gonzaga

Kobe Bryant is in Dubai – a land where the sports for the tall guys is a minion; where football is staple and cricket is predominant among huge slice of expats.

Basketball is not a frequent content for many sports news here in the UAE. It is in fact not among the main categories in sports sections of any publications. Gulf News, The National, Khaleej Times and even Sport360, a sports periodic itself, tag basketball as “Other Sports” or “Miscellaneous.”

NBA and basketball in general never make it to Twitter trending topics here. Filipino expats are the most popular fans and players of basketball here. You will see every court in outdoor parks full after work or during the weekends, with Filipinos.  During invitational tournaments wherein a Philippine team is always invited to play Middle-eastern clubs, the stadiums are jam-packed.

World basketball all-star Kobe Bryant is here primarily to support an advocacy campaign promoting awareness about diabetes. Thanks to DMCC and MAVEN Marketing and Events for bringing one of the most influential sports icon to spearhead this cause.

In his initial dialog to the media and bloggers, the 5-time NBA champ highlights the importance of awareness about diabetes and its prevention – sharing how arduous it’s been to his family when both his grandfathers suffered from the condition. He stresses the importance of choosing what we eat, citing his own personal experiences, and sharing insights on how to stay fit and healthy.

He also shares his improving recovery on that Achilles tendon injury and his eagerness to play active ball at the early stages of the season 2013-14 which begins in November.  But he is not discounting the slim possibility that he “might” show up some moves at the exhibition games on Friday. A safer “Kobe intensity” perhaps will do 😉

And oh, Kobe is awarded with a trade license to operate business in Dubai. Asked what could be the possible business ventures the black mamba plans to start up, Kobe, still reserved, says it would help to figure it out as he discovers Dubai.

He is ecstatic to explore what the UAE has in store for him. It will definitely be a busy mamba on the next 3 days.

So at least for this weekend, basketball will be in the pages, will be in sports headlines. Hopefully Kobe’s remarkable visit will raise the popularity of basketball in the Emirates. And hopefully too, diabetes awareness and prevention will be widespread.

Visit http://www.kobefitnessuae.com/ for more information about the cause, and about Kobe’s activities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Photo by Ion Gonzaga

I’m a fan
I was just 12 years old when a high-school Kobe rose to fame because of his basketball genius. I was trying to follow his moves when I’m playing on the streets. I’m an avid fan of his game, of the Lakers. He is an idol. His superstar shines brighter year after year after year. His maturity in the game becomes more inspiring. I dreamed, but I never have thought that at least I will be in the same room with Kobe himself, much more ask him directly a question in person.

I asked him, since he has coached many exhibition games, and he will again coach a celebrity team this Friday, and his father is a coach in ABL… Are we going to see a coach Kobe Bryant in the NBA in the future? He answered with a crispy NO, a grin, and added, “There are just too many divas.”

Update: Kobe Bryant in UAE for Health and Fitness Weekend

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Photo from Lakers.com

The Black Mamba is coming to UAE! Kobe Bryant himself will be in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to run a skills clinic and to coach a celebrity team in an exhibition game at the state-of-art Knights Arena at the American University in Dubai.

Dubbed as The Kobe Bryant Health and Fitness Weekend, the event is an advocacy to support Diabetes Awareness Initiatives. (Learn more about the event here)

I am so looking forward to the celebrity basketball exhibition game. Kobe Bryant’s team includes Virgin Radio presenters Kris Fade and Brent Black, international rappers / RnB artists Soulja Boy and Marques Houston and the only lady among them all, TAG 91.1 RJ Chikay.  They will be pitted against the Real Madrid basketball legends. Click here for the full lineups.  I’ve heard that Kobe will use a wireless mic as he coach so the crowd would hear the instructions and strategies of coach Black Mamba on the game – fun!

Kobe is expected to talk about the importance of health & fitness and take questions from the audience during halftime. But known for his surprises, Kobe might consider suiting up for a few minutes for some showtime. Might. After all, this is his first visit in the region so might as well wow the crowd. So crowd, prepare the Kobe! Kobe! Kobe! chants okay…

Imagine this happens: Kelly Herndon inbounds the ball to Soulja Boy, drives to the basket and finds the bulky Kris Fade. He sets up the towering Brent Black at the post and passes the ball to Chikay who lobs a 360-degrees alley-hoop to Kobe Bryant!!! Crowd goes wild… just imagine.

But then, the black mamba is still recovering from injury and is actually still doubtful to play at the start of the NBA season. 🙁 So forget the fantasy play. I’d rather see him healthy at the start of the season.

In an invitational in the Philippines, he surprisingly suited up for a team he is only ‘supposed to coach’ 😉

Tickets can be purchased at Timeout Tickets or in store at Virgin Megastores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Click here to get ticket details  

Ministry of Health attested sick leave certificate required

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Lately, for many agencies and companies, the usual medical certificate from the doctor isn’t enough to grant official sick leave to an employee.  They cut the days’ pay if the employee doesn’t secure a Ministry of Health attested sick leave certificate. Even a day’s leave requires an MOH sick leave note.

In some clinics and medical centres in Dubai, online attestation is available at an additional cost of AED75, with or without insurance.

I asked why the doctor’s medical note isn’t recognized anymore. Apparently there are some people who would connive with doctors for a (fake) sick leave certificate. So you know, they could skip the day’s work and still get paid.

So we pay AED75 to not lose the day’s salary, actually. Meh.

Marian Rivera headlines Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai

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If you’re feeling homesick and missing the Philippine live music so much, here’s one big treat for you:

Filipinos in UAE are up for a hearty treat as powerhouse belter Rachelle Ann Go, actor & Asia’s balladeer Christian Bautista and pop star Julie Anne San Jose joins the sizzling primetime TV queen Marian Rivera for an all-star performance in Dubai. Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – A GMA Pinoy TV Concert is happening on 27th September, Friday, at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium Indian High School (opposite St. Mary’s Church). 2 shows on that day are scheduled at 4pm and 8pm.

Win tickets to Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – A GMA Pinoy TV Show with Boy Dubai and My-HD Media. A pair of tickets is up for grabs everyday courtesy of My-HD Media. Simply comment or post on Boy Dubai Facebook Page why you want to watch Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai.

Note: You have to like Boy Dubai and My-HD Media Facebook Pages to be qualified. Winners will be selected and announced every morning until Friday, 27th September.

The beautiful Marian Rivera is expected to charm the crowd with her glamorous wit.  Her song and signature dance moves will surely wow the crowd. Sunday All-stars mainstays Rachelle Ann, Christian and Julie Anne will surely have a great time showcasing their vocal prowess in masterfully conceptualized musical performances.

Most will agree that the Philippines is one of the world’s best producers of world-class singers and performers. Christian Bautista is well known across South East Asia when it comes to romantic ballads. He has done several international album launches, TV guestings and even duets with other Asian singers. Rachelle Ann Go continues to soar and amaze the audience with her powerful vocals and arrangement. Julie Anne San Jose is a very promising pop music icon in the making. The future is so bright for this young lady. This is definitely a great time to personally witness that.

And how about interacting with one of the faces of GMA Kapuso in person? I’ve always wanted to see Marimar / Darna / Amaya / Angeline up-close. *BoyDubai is crushing on Marian -=(“,)=-

Tickets are priced AED100 (free seating) and AED150 (VIP), available online at Dobazaar.com, Event Nightly and Platinum List. For more ticket inquiries, call 050 911 6982, 056 209 8117 or 04 435 4844.

Thanks to GMA Pinoy TV and MyHD TV for bringing this show to Dubai.

GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA International are available in the Middle East via MyHD. To subscribe, visit http://www.my-hd.tv/mygma.com.

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